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Vancouver Islander w/ 2016 towing tundra - long list of mods to do

Discussion in 'New Member Introductions' started by Tam37, May 6, 2021.

  1. May 6, 2021 at 1:09 AM
    #1
    Tam37

    Tam37 [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 27, 2021
    Member:
    #62394
    Messages:
    39
    Gender:
    Female
    First Name:
    Tam
    Victoria, BC
    Vehicle:
    2016 White Tundra Limited; double cab
    Trying to figure out before I do my own mods
    Hey.
    I'm pretty stoked to have come across this site! I bought my 2016 tundra used from a toyota dealership just over a year ago. I'm just getting comfortable towing a 32ft travel trailer and hadn't thought about any modifications until a month ago and now have a list much greater than my bank account, but thinking I'll pick away at it for the next while.
    106152887_1600546996774167_3854029403766_8649475e007b407cc702f81766d789fada73a52d.jpg

    I don't have any experience in truck mods, but I've watched a lot of Youtube videos lately :yay: Haha, that's the honest truth. I think being a nurse during COVID made me realize I need a new hobby, lol.
    Anyways, I know I can sift thru the forums for more info on each mod I wanna tackle, and I will, but this is my overall bucket list:

    • Chrome delete via sanding and repainting (no vinyl wrapping)
    • Upgrade to LEDs and install smoked headlights and taillights
    • Fender flares: pocket-rivet style
    • Cold air intake
    • Rear air bags (for towing) - Toyota said I can't add a rear sway bar if I do this tho...?? You can see in the photo how low the rear dips with trailer
    • Suspension upgrade; considering 3" lift with coilover, but happy with just the lift (decided against a leveling kit) - will need compatible hitch set-up to tow 8000lbs
    • ?Wheel spacers and 33-35" tires
    • Exhaust upgrade - TRD dual exhaust vs aftermarket
    • Racks: headache rack (like the aries switchback) but ladder racks more appropriate (carrying paddleboards and bikes)
    • Bush grill (not massive) - ??aftermarket front bumper and possibly rear bumper (again, focus is towing capacity)

    So....considering that this is financially insane, its not feasible right away, but I've started my research and feel even more confident after finding this site (haha, prepare for the questions and likely videos of what NOT to do, lol)!
    Oh, and also, parts aren't always as accessible or reasonably priced to ship to Canada, so if anyone has suggestions, that'd be sweet.
    K - looking forward to this! ha!
     
  2. May 6, 2021 at 1:26 AM
    #2
    Dr Doobie

    Dr Doobie Growing member

    Joined:
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    First Name:
    Mike
    Talkeetna,Alaska
    Vehicle:
    '07 RCSB 5.7 SC'd 4x4 SSM
    Welcome from Alaska.
    Thank you for being out there on the front lines in this crazy covid world we all live in now!
    Great community here with a ton of knowledge on about anything you want to do with your tundra.
    good luck with your build
     
    SnowyTundra and Tam37[OP] like this.
  3. May 6, 2021 at 2:11 AM
    #3
    GODZILLA

    GODZILLA Hail to the King, Baby.

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    Adam
    Wyoming
    Vehicle:
    2023 Solar Octane TRD Pro TACOMA, 2022 Honda CB500X
    Trying not to mod it
    Welcome from Wyoming.

    I'd recommend a Weight Distributing Hitch (WDH) vs air bags for towing. Just my 2 pennies.
     
    Tam37[OP] likes this.
  4. May 6, 2021 at 4:48 AM
    #4
    Prostar 190

    Prostar 190 SSEM #9 I would rather be water skiing

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    Bryan
    OH
    Vehicle:
    2010 CrewMax limited 4X4
    6" lift 35" Toyo M/T
    Welcome from Ohio
     
  5. May 6, 2021 at 5:55 AM
    #5
    Bakershack

    Bakershack Critical of Noncritical Thinkers

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    Kelly
    Spanish Fort, AL
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    Welcome from LA (Lower Alabama)!
     
  6. May 6, 2021 at 6:24 AM
    #6
    Dupey

    Dupey I love chips and salsa!

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    Chris
    Northern Colorado
    Vehicle:
    2014 tundra platinum
    TRD PRO GRILL TRD PRO HEADLIGHTS W/I hacker ADAPTER WIRING WEATHER TECH FLOOR LINERS C4 FRONT BUMPER WITH 30 inch LIGHT BAR RCI ROCK SLIDERS RCI SKID PLATE RCI LOW PROFILE BED RACK ARB TOURING ROOF TOP TENT TOYTECH 2.0 FRONT COILOVERS TOYTECH REAR SHOCKS TOYTECH 1.75 SHACKLES
    Welcome from Colorado! I have camper envy
     
  7. May 6, 2021 at 7:15 AM
    #7
    Gould71

    Gould71 Member

    Joined:
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    Vehicle:
    2017 Platinum Midnight Black
    TRD swaybar, TRD shift knob, FN FX Pro wheels, Toyo AT/IIIs, VLED interior and puddles
    Welcome from Minnesota! That’s a nice list of mods- hate to tell you this, but this site will not do your bank account any favors;)

    It does appear that you’ve got a fair amount of squat. It looks like you’re using a WD hitch already- is it adjusted properly? That’s a good sized travel trailer and the axles are fairly far to the rear. Do you have any idea what the tongue weight is?
     
  8. May 6, 2021 at 7:17 AM
    #8
    TXRailRoadBandit73

    TXRailRoadBandit73 YOTAS,RAILROADER,RÖKnRÖLLN',BEER,MAX/GEMMA

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    The 956, TEXAS
    None yet
  9. May 6, 2021 at 8:24 AM
    #9
    ZappBrannigan

    ZappBrannigan The mind is willing but the flesh is weak

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    Canada, by way of Hawaii
    Vehicle:
    2018 1794 MGM
    NVS light bar
    Aloha and welcome aboard, eh. So I’m curious how you get that travel trailer off the island? I assume BC ferries has something for the job? Can you take it direct to port Angeles or do you have to go through Vancouver?
     
  10. May 7, 2021 at 8:14 AM
    #10
    mattgecko

    mattgecko The LED Light Guy... MattGeckoLEDs.com

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    Matt
    South San Jose, CA
    Vehicle:
    2011 Tacoma, Off road, super charged 4x4
    Welcome!
     
  11. May 7, 2021 at 7:59 PM
    #11
    AZ Red Nek

    AZ Red Nek Native of the Valley, Bowl, Basin, ETC...

    Joined:
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    Chuck
    Vehicle:
    2016 White SR5 Crew 4x4
    Hidden 1200# Waren winch, Baja Desgins lights, Switch Pro switch and controller, S&B air box and in bed tool box.
    Welcome from Phoenix
     
  12. May 8, 2021 at 6:24 AM
    #12
    frichco228

    frichco228 Valued Member

    Joined:
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    Frank
    Virginia
    Vehicle:
    2016 Crewmax 4WD, TRD Offroad
    Eibach Pro Truck Stage 2 suspension, HD RAS, 285/75-18 Nokian Outpost AT, LoPro bed cover, TRD rear sway bar, DD 10 inch exhaust, and various other goodies
    With towing a 30+ foot trailer I suggest you do not lift the truck and keep stock size tires. You are already at or above your towing limits.. At most install 33s, which fit on stock suspension. If you were towing much lighter then a lift and 35s could be ok, but not with that monster camper. I have been there and done that, heavy tows with a lifted truck and big tires can get miserable quickly. Towing at or above limits can be really sketchy and unpleasant even in ideal conditions. Add a bad storm, wind, or other weather and you have an exhausting white knuckle experience.

    WDH is a MUST. Do that first and it will help with the rear sag. Then you can add air bag if you like/need. Air bags do not "fix" the issues you have with squat from heavy loads....they just treat the one symptom and do nothing to increase your payload or towing specs. They can also make the truck ride harder when unloaded, just so you are aware.

    Id skip the wheel spacers since you are towing heavy.

    Exhaust- look into the @dirtydeeds offering, they actually perform better than the TRD.

    CAI does nothing on a Tundra other than make more sound. Save the $ and use it for another item. Stock setup is more than enough and actually a CAI

    Also know your payload (sticker on driver door jam). Anything you add to the truck like bumpers, WDH, heavier tires, racks, and everything you are carrying like passengers, luggage, all need to be deducted from your available payload- you are adding weight to the truck so it reduces the amount you can haul/tow. Take your truck and camper to the scales and find out what your actual weights are.

    Enjoy your truck and tow safe! There are some great stickies and threads here in the towing/hauling section that you should check out.
     
    ZappBrannigan likes this.
  13. May 10, 2021 at 3:31 AM
    #13
    shoe07

    shoe07 New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 14, 2021
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    #57588
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    314
    Gender:
    Male
    Ohio
    Vehicle:
    2004 Tundra Double-cab SR5 Tow pkg
    Looks like you have a chain style wdh, I imagine if you moved up 2-3 links you will most likely correct some of that squat. Make sure you follow your weight distribution hitch instructions. You may not require any airbags if you get your hitch dialed in.
     

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